1st use of plotter pen

[Xxray]

Received an insert for a full sized sharpie - It works great, barely had the Z to clear the material. [I have a .75 spoilboard on top of original, so I could get more clearance if I had to]. Made the mistake of trying a very detailed dfx, came out very blobby. So the full size would be fine for larger and less detailed projects.
Tied the pencil attachment as well, came out fantastically detailed but the drawback is obvious - As it draws the lead wears down then the lines get noticeably lighter. Job has to be stopped occasional to lower the Z and/or sharpen the pencil. So this would be great for very detailed jobs lasting 15 minutes or so, this was 2 hours so ...... Does have its limitations.

A sharpie with an ultra fine tip would have been ideal, unfortunately is has a different circumference and shape than the mini, full sized or pencil, and hence would not fit in any of them.
So in my opinion, the 2 most useful inserts would be full sized sharpie and ultra fine tip sharpie [not sure if an average pen would fit an ultra, just might].
Pencil is very limited in usefulness, stubby sharpie is obsolete with a full sized insert.

[Xxray]

Aztec calendar is 12x12" btw and is done on poster board

[CosmosK]

I've got requests for full size sharpie, so I have the full size version available:

http://cosmos-industrial.com/index.php? ... ex&cPath=3

I'm offering full size sharpie and combo sharpie/pencil. I've got designs for ball point pen and fine point sharpie, and will so those by request. 1/4" shank can be done too. Thanks

[bwohn65]

How do you stop the router motor spinning while the pen is mounted?

[CosmosK]

Depends on your machine. Might be an manual switch or might need a dedicated post processor that does on turn it on.

[basecircle]

Great job X That is cool.I made one about a year ago have not used it.Your work has inspired me.I like the fine line drawing.I will give it a shot. Basecircle

[Xxray]

Wow, forgot I even had the thing [maybe some didn't notice OP was 3 years ago].

Really nice gadget that everyone should have, maybe I'll be re inspired to get back into it !

[pro70z28]

I used an old spring loaded engraving head. Took the rotary tool off and made a bracket to hold magic markers. I've done a lot of 4'x8' outline drawings for stage props. (then the kids painted them like a coloring book). The markers wear down after 3-4 sheets, so I just buy cheap markers and change them out often. Not only wear, but you'd be surprised how much ink you go through when the CNC is drawing non-stop. I used to do paper signs weekly for grocery store window ads, for several stores, on a plotter. Then I had refillable markers that lasted pretty well. But that was on smooth paper. The trick was to refill them without "over refilling".

[mick40]

Saw this and adapted it to my machine. Simple and works great.

Mick

[Xxray]

Saw this and adapted it to my machine. Simple and works great.

Mick

You adapted blowing balloons to your machine ?

[Samson]

Saw this and adapted it to my machine. Simple and works great.

Mick

Please post a video. I've got to see a cnc make balloon animals!
That could put a lot of clowns out of work.

[galerdude]

This is what I've been using for a couple years, works great.

[RebeccaJ]

Awesome! This is something that's been on my list to try for ages!
I think you've given me more motivation to give it a go now!

Thanks for sharing!

[martin54]

Funny how sometimes an older thread gets a new lease of life because someone comes across it
Don't remember reading this post when it was originally put on the forum, its one thing I have never tried with the cnc & probably never will, being a signmaker & having a vinyl plotter that is actually designed to work with pens as well as blades I don't have the need to use the CNC

[Xxray]

Funny how sometimes an older thread gets a new lease of life because someone comes across it
Don't remember reading this post when it was originally put on the forum, its one thing I have never tried with the cnc & probably never will, being a signmaker & having a vinyl plotter that is actually designed to work with pens as well as blades I don't have the need to use the CNC

Many forums have a time limit on replying to posts and lock them after a certain period, probably for good reason.

This one I like when older posts are revived, almost all the info is still relevant and you might be reminded of an old idea or inspired to try something new. Thats how I started getting into inlays in fact.
Would seem that you personally do not have the need, but you never know ,, The option will always be there.
I like hearing the machine working without the noise of the router, those rattles and squeaks can tell you things you'd otherwise never hear.